By Pervez Bari

Bhopal, April 15 (indianMuslims.info): The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, (MPCC), has alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled State Government is wooing Dalits (down-trodden) for electoral gains as elections to the Vidhan Sabha are due next year.

Spokesperson of MPCC Manak Agarwal said that the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan organized "Social Integrity Meet" at Mhow on Saturday at the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar while senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Arun Shourie had criticized vehemently the late Dalit leader a few years back.

It may be recalled here that Shourie, in his 650 pages book 'Worshiping False Gods' had strongly criticized the role of Ambedkar in the framing of Indian Constitution. He had even said that Babasaheb was a hired writer and didn't play any key role in the framing of India's Constitution.

Agarwal said, "The way Shourie has defamed Ambedkar in his book, is really shocking and if all the Dalits will read this book, the BJP will have to pay a big price. By naming the Social Integrity Meet as the 'Kumbh' for the dalits is just to allure them and there is nothing real about that", he added.

He said that the Congress party had always respected the great Dalits leader. The BJP was deceiving the dalits by renaming the Congress agenda as their own, he claimed.

The Indore district Congress distributed a pamphlet in the main function of ruling BJP at Mhow which was organized to pay tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar. The pamphlet also enclosed excerpts of the book 'Worshiping False Gods'.

Ambedkar awakened Dalits' confidence, says RSS chief

Meanwhile, celebrating the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, (RSS), KS Sudershan said that Ambedkar had awakened the confidence and will power among the dalits, deprived and neglected sections of the society towards development.

Sudershan reportedly said that despite the adverse conditions and circumstances, Ambedkar set an example by attaining the new height of progress. The RSS chief was speaking at the social harmony programme held at Mhow on Saturday. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan presided over the programme.

On the lines of Sinhastha, the Ambedkar Mahakumbh was organized at the birthplace of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Chouhan announced that Ambedkar Mahakumbh would be organized every year at Mhow. He also mentioned that efforts towards pious deeds should be lauded at every level.

Sudershan, while throwing light over the life of the Babasaheb, said that his religious ethics was very strong and he always worked for the protection of religion. He further observed that he was not in opposition of anyone and struggled through out his life for the unity of people. He urged the people to mingle with each other and establish social harmony for the welfare of the country. The RSS chief said harmony programme should be organized every year to eradicate feeling of discrimination. While terming the untouchability anti-religion, he urged the people to work together to eradicate this social evil.

Buddhist Guru Karmapa mentioned that it was a matter of pride and inspiration that the State Government had built a beautiful and memorable Stupa at the birthplace of the great leader. He expressed hope that this place would become center for sovereign, peace, unity, social harmony and justice. Karmapa said that human sufferings were increasing in the entire world due to violence, terrorism, discrimination, hatred and struggle. The Buddhist Guru thanked Chouhan for inviting him and making good arrangements for Ambedkar followers.

The Chief Minister said that Babasaheb had been a crusader of social harmony and national integration and he opposed the foreigner's rule with his full might. Moreover, he observed that Babasaheb adopted the religion giving teachings of compassion, love and given a message of social harmony to the entire world. He said that the construction of the Ambedkar memorial would be completed within four months. Also, community development and improvement programmes would be organized in the research institute every year.

Meanwhile, the BJP have criticized MPCC president Subhash Yadav and Union Minister of State Kantilal Bhuria, who wore footwears while garlanding the statue of Babasaheb in Indore.

In a statement Madhya Pradesh State BJP president Narendra Singh Tomar and PWD Minister Kailash Vijaywargiya demanded apology from the Congress for insulting a great man and the country.

The BJP leaders said the Congress sympathy towards 'dalits' and poor was merely an eye-wash and it exploited their emotions only for the purpose of getting votes.